Vol. 25 No. 4 • Winter 2020 Senior Circle www.tclifelong.org tompkinscountyny.gov/cofa A circle is a group of people in which everyone has a front seat. Senior Focus: A Lifetime of Giving By: Dawn Sprague “You can do anything”, a phrase Joan Barber uses items such as fresh produce, breads and other frequently to empower people, especially Seniors, items. People request and sign up by contacting who feel they may have nothing to contribute. the pantry and setting up a pick-up time or you “There is always something you can do no matter may be able to sign up at the site. People order your age.” Joan should know, she’s been their food and other available items off a menu volunteering in her community for most of her either over the phone or from the parking lot. lifetime. The volunteers fill the orders. You can call (607) Joan Van Deman grew up in Tompkins County 273-2400 for more information and eligibility. where she graduated from Ithaca High School as her The Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard is made possible by parents before her. She met her future husband, Area Congregations Together, a group of Joan Barber standing in front of one of the well Kenneth Barber, at the Danby Methodist Church, Congregations in the area whose members stocked shelves in the Kitchen Cupboard food pantry where their love story began. Together they built volunteer and sign up for specific shifts at the located at the Salvation Army, 150 North Albany their home in Danby in 1958, where they raised distribution site. The program is supported by Street in Ithaca. their 4 children, and Joan still resides today. They Federal, NY State and local programs. The remained very active in their community. Joan has program also depends on the generosity of also been blessed with 5 grandchildren and 4 great- community donors. If you would like to know grandchildren. Joan and Ken had celebrated 52 about volunteer opportunities or how to donate, INSIDE THIS EDITION years as husband and wife at the time of Ken’s you can contact Joan at (607)280-4776 for Page 2 & 3: passing in 2010. further information. Senior Services Spring Listings Joan volunteers the majority of her week as the Joan and her husband also helped form the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program POW/MIA Recognition - Images Project Volunteer Coordinator for the Ithaca Kitchen Danby Food Pantry 31 years ago. The Danby Caregiver’s Corner: Caring for those with a Cupboard, a food distribution center that she has Food Pantry distributes food once a month and Brain Impairment been involved with since its inception 51 years ago. is also dependent on volunteers. The Tompkins Virtual Workshops on Dementia From Monday through Friday you can find Joan at County Food Distribution Center was organized Virtual Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class the Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard site located inside the out of all the local area food pantries. Pages 4 & 5: Salvation Army Building at 150 North Albany Street I asked Joan why she volunteers. Joan was quick Medicare Resources in Ithaca. The program depends on the kindness to tell me that it is extremely rewarding for her. Medicare Open Enrollment at Lifelong and dedication of volunteers. A typical day for Joan She loves working with and helping other Medicare Basics Presentations on Zoom and the volunteers would start in the morning with Got Medicare Questions? community members. She has formed accepting donations, stocking shelves, cleaning, and Medicare Open Enrollment from the Office friendships over the years. She has a great sense getting ready for the afternoon distribution. The day for the Aging of purpose everyday she is able to be a part of ends for them around 4:00 pm. I asked Joan what Pages 6 & 7: the program and that shines through when you has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Joan Examining Patients Rights in Long Term hear her passion as she speaks about what she says they all practice social distancing, hand Care Facilities (Part One of Series) and the other volunteers are able to accomplish. washing, and everyone wears a mask. There is now Keep Tompkins County Healthy & Safe a table set up outside that displays miscellaneous I wondered with all she does during the week for during COVID-19 Alcohol & Drug Council Available for others, what does she enjoy in any free time she Appointments has. Joan loves to do yardwork, help her Project Care neighbors, and especially enjoys regular visits Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Profit Profit - with her sister. One thing Joan does not care for 2020 Election- Early Voting Sites & Times PAID PAID Non Organization Organization is being idle, not a big surprise given what she Permit No. 375 Permit Pages 8 & 9: Ithaca, NY Ithaca, 14850 finds relaxing in her free time. She is not one to From the Desk of the Executive Director sit around and prefers her days to be busy and Health and Wellness Virtual Classes productive. She also likes things to be neat and Lifelong Learning Fall Semester-Virtually orderly, like her life. I don’t see Joan slowing The Senior Theatre Troupe down anytime soon. Ithaca College - Common Threads Intergenerational Dialogue Series Joan Barber is a small but powerful woman. She Lifelong’s Northside Southside Program has purpose in her life and tries to pass this on to Pages 10 & 11 others in hopes that they will volunteer in their National Preparedness Month: Disasters communities. As Joan says, “You can do Don’t Wait anything!” I feel blessed to have met such an Using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator amazing woman. If giving is caring, then Joan The Book Nook - Tompkins County Public Barber is one of the most generous, kind and Library compassionate women I have had the pleasure Personal Emergency Response System to meet. Tompkins County Health Department Healthy Neighborhoods Programs Page 12: IRS Debunks Tax Refund Myths Rudy Paolangeli’ s Radio Schedule Senior Circle Lifelong, Enhancing the Second Half Second the Enhancing Lifelong, 14850 NY Ithaca, W. Court • St. 119 Page 2 Senior Circle • Winter 2020 Need a Break? Project CARE Might Help! Senior Services The Office for the Aging'sProject CARE program is designed to provide caregivers with a much-needed break. Project CARE matches older adults NY Connects and their caregivers with volunteers who provide friendly visiting, respite, or might even be able to assist with some light housekeeping, yard work or NY Connects Tompkins County Office for the Aging provides information, errands. If you or someone you know would benefit from some help with assistance, and referrals for Long Term Services and Supports for people of the difficult work of caregiving, please contact Dawn Sprague at the Office any age and any income. Long Term Services and Supports are for medical for the Aging, 274-5499. Additionally, if you are interested in volunteering, and non-medical needs. please call the Office for the Aging, 274-5499, for more information about NY connects can provide information about Project CARE. -Personal Care Services The Registry -Caregiver Supports The Finger Lakes Independence Center administers the Registry Referral -Respite Care Program. The Registry Referral is a free referral service linking individuals -Financial Benefits seeking independent employment to people who need care in their home. Opportunities include: elder companion, housekeeper, run errands, do -Education and Counseling yardwork, cook, personal care aide, home care aide, LPN, RN. People -Care Coordination looking for help can call and receive names of people who are willing to -Transportation provide those services. Payment and other arrangements are made by the -Health and Wellness person seeking help with the person willing to provide the services. If you either need assistance or if you would be interested in listing your name as -Plus, other services to help you remain as a caregiver, please call FLIC at 272-2433 or email: independent as possible [email protected]. This program is made possible through funding NY Connects staff can assist you either on the phone or in person between from the Tompkins County Office for the Aging. 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. In person: Tompkins County Office for the Aging, 214 W Martin Luther King Help with yard work Jr. Street. Ithaca, NY The Office for the Aging/ NY Connects maintains a listing of people who By phone: (607) 274-5482 or 1-800-342-9871 are willing to do yard work for older adults on either a paid or volunteer Or visit us on the web at www.tompkinscountyny.gov/cofa basis. If you are in need of some help with your yard work, please give us a call 274-5482 Free language assistance (interpretation and translation) services available 2020 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Tompkins County Office for the Aging 214 W. State/Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 Coupons for the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program are still available! Our office will continue to distribute these coupons until September 30th. Basic Information: Up until the deadline, Outreach Workers from our office will be tabling outside There are five $4 coupons in each booklet ($20). of our front doors on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s, and Thursday’s from 9am 12:30pm. Recipients must be Over 60 Please remember to wear a mask and maintain social distancing when approaching the table. Recipients must meet income requirements: If you are not able to come down to our office, a coupon booklet can be mailed out to you as well. 1-Person Household: $1968/Month Please give us a call at 607-274-5484 for more information.